Mulch



-ATENT OFFICE 'IDOZIER FINILEY, Gib" Hillll-KELH'IJZ, CALIFORNIA, "ASSIGNOR T THE PARAFFINE COM- PANIES, Ildtl, 0F Erlllll' FRANCIQ CU, OALIFDRNIA, A. UGRPORATIUN OF DELAWARE.

MUIJUH.

Ito llmwin g.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it lmown that I, Domini ll'imm'r, s citizen of the United States of America, and a rcsidentof Berlrclc Y count of .Alemeds,

and State of Qalifornia, have invented it new and useful'lliuloh, of which the followin is a specification. I p

yinvention relates to mulching sheets, and one of the objects of the invention is the 10 provision of a mulching sheet baring pro nounced capacity for absorbing solar heat and transmitting such beat to the underly ing soil. Another object is the production of a mulch sheet characterized by its resist m anoe to deterlorstion and wear.

My invention possesses other objects and features of advanta 'e some oi which, with theioregoing wfll lie set forth in the fol-- lowing description of my invention; lit is to be understood that I- do not limit myself to thosaid description, as I may adopt variant forms of my invention within the see c oftbe cla ms. roodly considered, the mulch of my Nontion comprises a paper or felt base which "has been first saturated with asphalt, then coated with ahardsr asphalt on. the upper surface with preferably a thinner skin costing on the under surface. A dust finish of dark or black pulvcrulent material is next applied to prevent adhesion of tbedsyers en the sheet is rolled up, to increase the absorption of host from the suns rays when the sheet is in use as a mulch, and to enhance as the wearing qualities oi the sheet. For this purpose a variety of materials may be used including coal, black earth, cinder, graphite and lampblack, each of which is preferably of a size to pass thru it mesh screen. Of

4;); these, the ismpblack finished sheet is the most efficient in the matter of absorbing heat In detail my mulching paper is formed on a paper or felt base or one stock formed 4 of a combination of the two in any desired proportion, or. on a fabric base, such as burlap or muslin. I prefer however under conditions now obtaining to use a base comprising mixed paper stock-and 10% rug,

50 the base being preferably rendered black by the addition of a black dyestufi' to the paper pulp while in the beaters,'or by the addition of lampblack to the paper stock in the beater andthe subsequent precipitation of Application filed "oeptember 19, 13722. Serial No, 589,252.

the lcmpblack on the fibers by a resin size and alu n in a manner known to paper makers, or by the use of dycstuli' and lamphlack. The lampblscl; I. prefer to use is that derived in the oil gas process of making illuminating gas. i

' Preferably too, I use a stock weighing 17 to 19 pounds per 480 square feet if my product is to be used in pineapple or sugar cane culture, although a lighter stock may be used for. garden vegetables.

The stock is next saturated with en asphalt mixture, the percentage of saturation running from 75 to 100. Preferably, a semisolid asphalt having: usoftcuing point ranging between 70 snd Fahrenheit, by methods. of the American Society for Testing Materials, standard of 192]. is used in the saturating process which proceeds in accordance with known methods.

'lhe saturated stock is next preferably coated, and given a dust finish but it should here be noted thst the saturated blaclrsliect may be used as a mulch Without zidditioual procession and in this state provides a good though creeper material, which will not bleach out to a grayish White upon exposure to the sun, a failing characterizing the on coated sheet as heretofore made, The portance ofthe black coloring of the stock will now be apparent, as the sustained slit ciency of the uucoaterfl mulch is largely dependent on the permanence of such color if the sheet is not to be coated. It Will be appreciated also that even with the coated sheets, the black color of the stock is so important matter in maintaining the do sired absorbing qualities. a

To make a mulching sheet of highest quality, I coat the saturated stock in no cordsnce with known methods, with a blown given a finish comprising pulverulcnt mat ter, preferably of a Size to pass thru a i imcsh screen and including all the lines Preferably the bulk of- Such matter may be derived from a variety es inchulim graphite, black earth, 1 cinder, ant. lampblaelr.

sheets finished with lampblael: give a lo .grrce of heat absorption than any oil" the others, although all give good. results, and a n'iixtureoi? two parts black earth and one part lampbl: is (ml slightly interior in the quality named, to lampblack alone. Puli'erixed bituminous coahor graphile also gives good results and l. prel'er one or the other of these three carbonaceous materials either alone or in combination with other i'naterials, the choice being determined by practical considerations of availability and price. v

The finish of pulvernlent material is not only productive of inereased capacity to absorb solar heat, but also functions to prevent sticking of the layers of the Sheet; in the rolls during: shipment and storage, under the high tem 'ieraturcs characteristic of the localities in which my product linds an important application. Such finish also imparts durability and tends to prevent deterioration and bleaching: outof the asplialiic components l' th mulch.

' With i coated and finished mulch, the black coloring: of the lane sheet material. isof course of less importance in determining theeiiicienc oi the product than in the uncoated mulch, and if desired the base sheet for the coated and hushed mulch may be untreated in this respect.

I find it. also of advantage to add to the felt or paper base, about 1% by Weight. of

zinc sulfate or copper acetate. This prerents decay and kills fungus, which, unhampercd, rapidly deteriorates the paper.

If desired, a decay or disintegration pr venting subs-lance may be combined with the asphalt. such ior instance, as creosote. lin tar to disguise the odor of the creosote ma} he used in the proportions 90 parts asphalt, ,9 parts creosote and 1 part pine tar.

l' claim: v v

- 1. A mulch, comprising a sheet saturated riith asphaltum, said sheet containing a chemical agent possessing the qualities of killing, fungus and ii-creating; decay of the mulch.

it 2. A mulch comprisinc a substantially black sheet containing a fungus killing" and decay preventing chemical, said sheet being processed with asphaltum and having a linish comprising a dark tcrial.

A mulch comprising a substantially blael: sheet. containing a paper preserving and fungus killing chemical, said sheet being saturated with asphaltum and bovine a finish comprising a carbonaceous PillYQllllent material.

4. A mulch con'iprising a felt; sheet sat in rated with a semi-solid asphalt havinga softening point ranging between 70 and 120 F., and coated with a blown asphalt having a softening point of about 200 F.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

pulvcrulent ma- DOZIER Fl *ILEY. 

